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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11 - November NewsletterNewsletterNewsletter November 2016 A Note from the Mayor... Deborah Stinson Mayor Recent events have given us a chance to test our emergency preparedness. Thankfully each one turned out to be a drill rather than a full-scale response. One of the challenges for emergency preparedness is that we don’t exactly know what events may come our way, so we should use these drills as an opportunity to learn what we are doing right and what we need to do to shore up our efforts. A case in point was the late evening call I received from the City Manager telling me that a form of blue-green algae had been detected in our raw water reservoirs. We recognized this as a potentially critical situation that would test our ability to fully respond. City staff was already working with State and County Public Health to determine the appropriate response. While we had immediately sent additional samples to our usual labs, the WA Department of Health helped us locate labs that could deliver faster test results. While one team focused on expediting test results another team was then assembled by the Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management (JCDEM). This team had the advantage of building on defined and tested incident management structures that allowed each participant to focus on this unique situation. I was confident by the end of that first meeting that we had a sound foundation for launching and executing an effective response. As we waited for the test results, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was staffed and ready to go the minute we received the critical test results. Happily, they stood down on the good news that no algae toxins were detected in either the source water or the drinking water. Our water was safe to drink. True to the nature of drills, the JCDEM now has a detailed plan of action should a similar event occur. City Public Works continues to monitor for algae and algal toxins until test results show algal blooms have dissipated. Public Works is also in the process of augmenting our testing and treatment systems for algae, while researching the root cause to determine if such blooms can be prevented. Another case was the predicted “storm of the century” that fortunately skirted our coast rather than coming on shore with hurricane-force winds. Nonetheless, your EOC and all public safety partners were on high alert and ready for a rapid response. The fact that the storm took a slightly different track is a good reminder that all predictions are just that and, while modelling tools are constantly improving, there is always an element of uncertainty to consider. This time we caught a break and I hope everyone used the exercise to refresh their emergency supplies for the coming winter storm season. Finally, all this gives me the opportunity to thank Bob Hamlin, Jefferson County’s Director of Emergency Management, who is entering his well-earned retirement at the end of this year. From my perspective as a private citizen working to strengthen our resilience through neighborhood organizing and now as an elected official responsible for public safety, I can say with confidence that Bob Hamlin leaves our community with a very strong foundation to address whatever calamity may come our way. Please join me in thanking Bob for his many years of dedication and service to our community. I think Bob would agree that the best way to thank him is to do your part by preparing your household. No matter the strength of the JCDEM, we all need to be prepared to take care of ourselves for several days. For instance, emergency water supplies. That’s one gallon per person per day. Get more local emergency prep tips by reading the Think Plan Do Repeat booklet found at http://jeffcoeoc.org/library.htm 360.379.5047 • citycouncil@cityofpt.us • www.cityofpt.us CITIZEN CONCERNsCITIZEN CONCERNs We have a new process for our citizen concerns! Submit any concerns or issues that you feel need to be addressed by the city through our online form located on our website at: www.cityofpt.us. If you do not have computer access, you may call City Administration at 360-379-5047 for assistance, or visit City Hall to fill out a Citizen Concern form. Please keep in mind that not all concerns or issues can be addressed by the City, such as County, Port, Fire, State, orFederal matters. We will let you know how to contact the correct party, if needed. Code Compliance:Code Compliance concerns should be submitted through our online Citizen Concern portal or by submitting a form in person. Our Code Compliance Officer will conduct a preliminary investigation to determine if a possible violation exists. A code compliance case may be created for further investigation and or enforcement. A valid Citizen Concern must have the following to allow for staff follow up: the concern or potential violation, the address where the issue is located, your name, phone number and email address in the event the Code Compliance Officer has questions or needs additional information. Under the Public Records Act, chapter 42.56 RCW, the information provided on a complaint investigation request form is subject to public disclosure. Information revealing the identity of persons who are witnesses to crimes or who file complaints with investigative agencies may be withheld from disclosure under RCW 42.56.240(2) if the complainant indicates a desire for nondisclosure of their identifying information at the time the complaint is made. Police Department related matters: IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL: 9-1-1.IF YOU HAVE A NON-EMERGENCY RELEATED POLICE MATTER, PLEASE CALL DISPATCH: 360.344.9779If you would like to provide a Crime tip, visit our website: www.cityofpt.us, click on “crime tips” and fill out the online form. Records Requests:For all records requests please contact our City Clerk’s Office. You can reach the Clerk’s office by email: jsanders@cityofpt.us - or phone: 360-379-5083. General Information:If you have any general questions, please contact City Administration at 360-379-5047, or you can send an email to: kgraves@cityofpt.us. Topics that should not be submitted as a Citizen Concern: At the water treatment facility, the equipment supplier is doing checks on the filtration system and commissioning equipment including process, blow down, and chemical cleaning systems. At the same time, the City operators and maintenance personnel are being trained on the various pieces of equipment, such as pumps, tanks, valve operation, instru- ments, analyzers, programming and controls for a planned start-up in early November. Outside, the curbs and paving, as well as plans for landscaping, are underway. At the reservoir site, the high zone standpipe tie-in is in place, and yard piping will be placed to connect the new reservoir to the system. A paved trail along the east side of Rainier Street from Discovery Road to the intersection of Howard Street and 20th Street remains open. From 15th Street north, an orange construction fence provides a safety barrier to separate construction traffic from the adjacent trail. Capital Projects Update, Water Treatment Facility 360.379.5047 • citycouncil@cityofpt.us • www.cityofpt.us Mysterious Northwest - Author Discussion Port Townsend Library - Carnegie Reading Room Thursday, Nov. 17, 7-8 pm Panel discussion moderated by Waverly Fitzgerald, the managing editor of Rat City Publishing, a local press that publishes mysteries set in Seattle and the Pacic Northwest. Three Seattle Mystery writers will share their versions, describe how and why they write mysteries and read short passages from their books. The author panel will include: Martha Crites, Grave Disturbance, Curt Colbert, Rat City and Rachel Bukey, Leap of Faith. For more information please contact Keith Darrock, kdarrock@cityofpt.us The City recognizes that signs are vital to businesses within the community. Sign regulations help ensure that the city is a safe and attractive place in which to live and to do business. The aesthetic benefits to business districts and the community at large as well as the compatibility of signs with the architectural and historical qualities of Port Townsend are achieved through consistency with safe and secure installation, style, scale and placement of signs in accordance with the Port Townsend Municipal Code (PTMC 17.76). Port Townsend is proud of its National Historic Landmark District and special sign regulations are required to preserve and reflect its historic character. Signs within the National Landmark Historic District are subject to design review and must obtain approval by the Historic Preservation Committee before a sign permit may be issued. Fair and consistent enforcement of sign regulations preserves the community character which attracts visitors and new residents and sustains business development. A sign permit is required and must be issued by the City to erect, alter or relocate a sign. If you have made modifications to your business signage or have plans to install new signage, please visit Development Services to obtain a sign permit. To contact the City’s Code Compliance Officer: Katie Quesada/360-379-5094/kquesada@cityofpt.us The new Walking/Bicycling Guide Maps are here!! You can get yours at the following locations:City HallPort Townsend LibraryVisitor Center Code EnforcementPort Townsend Library Loves Diverse Books! If you never outgrew your love of children’s books, you may have heard of We Need Diverse Books— a grassroots organization whose vision statement is “a world where all children can see themselves in the pages of a book.” Why are diverse children’s books important? Children learn letters, numbers, and words from books, but they also learn about who our society values and thinks is important. When children of color, or children that are LGBTQ or from LGBTQ families don’t see themselves in their books, they can feel that they don’t matter. All children who read diverse books can learn about the world from a perspective different from their own. 90 percent of teachers surveyed by WNDB say children are more motivated to read when their books reflect their reality. Yet 90% of children’s books published each year from 1994 to 2013 lack diverse content— that’s 18 years with no change! The Port Townsend Public Library recently received a generous grant of children’s books from the Literacy Council of Jefferson County’s Multicultural Book Project. Through the work of Barbara Smith, and funded by UGN, the Port Townsend and East Jefferson County Rotaries, and the Brinnon/Quilcene Garden Club, this project placed new books in our library to expand our diverse collection. Check out one of our favorites, Happy in Our Skin by Fran Manushkin. There are diverse books out there—but still not enough! Ask the library staff for more recommendations for your family, and check out We Need Diverse Books to see how you can help. http://weneeddiverse- books.org/ 360.379.5047 • citycouncil@cityofpt.us • www.cityofpt.us Port Townsend's Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) is being updated. Critical areas are fragile resources that are sensitive to the impacts of urban development, or may pose hazards to the community if developed. Critical areas include: Wetlands; Critical aquifer recharge areas; Fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas; Frequently flooded areas; and Geologically hazardous areas. Purpose of this notification.The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has determined that the City’s watershed control program does not meet current Department expectations for remaining a permitted unfiltered drinking water system. While water quality has not changed and exceeds standards, for regulatory purposes, the water system is considered to be out of treatment compliance. Chlorine disinfection continues to provide protection from microbial contaminants, which generally is more than adequate for safe drinking water treatment. Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as, nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. What is being done?The City has chosen to build a membrane water filtration facility to meet federal drinking water treatment requirements. The water treatment facility began startup testing for the filter system at the end of September and the facility is expected to be operational by the beginning of November 2016. What should I do?This situation does not require that you take action, however people with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may want to seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA at http://water.epa.gov/aboutow/ogwdw/upload/2001_11_15_consum-er_crypto.pdf or the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 (800) 426-4791. Information is also available through the City’s web site http://www.cityofpt.us/water/ or from the Port Townsend Department of Water Quality (360-379-5001).This notice is being sent to you by the City of Port Townsend. State Water System ID#: 69000R. Date distributed: November 1, 2016. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PORT TOWNSEND DRINKING WATER Woodsmoke & Wood burning Critical Areas Ordinance Update Approximately half the homes in the greater Olympic Peninsula and Coastal area of Washington have some type of wood burning heating device, ranging from wood stoves to fireplaces. There is an increasing body of scientific evidence that associates particulate matter pollution from wood stoves with a variety of health impacts. The very young, the elderly and people who suffer from circulatory and respiratory illnesses are among those most severely impacted. In 1987 the Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater urban area was determined to be in violation of federal air quality standards for particulate matter (PM10). Since that time a variety of State and Local Woodstove Regulations have been adopted to help minimize the impact of wood stove emissions on public health. ORCAA may declare a Burn Ban which restricts certain burning activities in specific areas. For more information please visit ORCAA website: www.orcaa.org/burning/wood-stove-program/ The city regulates critical areas and their required buffers through the Port Townsend Municipal Code (PTMC) Chapter 19.05. As required by state statute, the city has and will continue to include the "best available science" when developing policies and development regulations to protect the functions and values of critical areas. The purpose of this update is to ensure that the CAO remains in compliance with the Growth Management Act (GMA) requirements and to address issues found during implementation of the ordinance. This update is part of the periodic update required under the Growth Management Act (GMA) (RCW 36.70A.130). How can I get involved? Public involvement is vital and we hope that you will share your input by providing comments, attending meetings and learning more about the critical areas ordinance update. Written comments may be submitted to the City Clerk at 250 Madison Street, Suite 2, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Please indicate Subject: CAO Update Staff Contact: Judy Surber, Senior Planner/Planning Manager • 360.379.5084 • jsurber@cityofpt.us